Goals

Zimbu Trading hopes to provide a large enough export market so these artisans, now living from the sale of one animal to the next, will have the means to organize into a cooperative and build their base of operations. Additionally, Zimbu Trading is committed to conservation efforts in Africa for the very animals that inspire our beaded creations.

Zimbu Trading

Over 2 years ago, Boulder-based Zimbu Trading began to collaborate with self-taught and street-based artisan Tineyi Chikanga and his team of beaders in South Africa to import elephants, giraffes, rhinos, and their other beaded creations to the US. 

"By buying these works, you are supporting the basic needs of the artisans and their families and helping to provide longer-term sustainable income. The artisans are being paid on a Fair Trade basis."

Conservation

In addition to assisting artisans living on the margin, Zimbu Trading is committed to supporting animal conservation efforts and conservation education. A portion of every sale is directed to programs in Africa that work to protect endangered species. We are especially proud of our conservation work with the Thula Thula Rhino Fund and Rebuilding the Pride.